Pan Mingxun Residence

　　Located in the middle section of Pushi Road in the former Shanghai French Concession, now 680 Changle Road, it is a magnificent and sizable garden residence. After the liberation, the owner donated the Changle Road residence to the state. It has long been part of the Shanghai Post and Telecommunications Workers' Hospital and has now been converted into the Sino-Japanese joint venture Shanghai Hocheng Dental Hospital.

　　This is a neoclassical-style garden villa, or rather a neoclassical building. Neoclassical architecture emerged as people, out of admiration for the architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome, broke free from the dogmatic constraints of blind antiquarianism and embraced functionality, nature, and authenticity. Built in the late 1920s, the Pan Mingxun Residence has three floors, faces south, and features a brick-concrete structure. The sloping roof is covered with red tiles, with large-scale parapets in some sections. Cement balustrades resembling classical vases are installed, and the eaves overhang with densely detailed ornaments, subtly revealing the tastes of the original owner. The southern facade is divided into three horizontal sections, with an axially symmetrical layout. The central section emphasizes vertical lines, contrasting with the horizontal composition of the sides, resulting in a clean and simple façade. The flat eaves and vertical facades feature multiple tall windows, topped with flat arches. The ground floor is clad in beige polished granite, while the second and third floors are finished with cement plaster. The central ground floor features an Ionic colonnaded veranda, and the main entrance, along with its top section, showcases Art Deco style. The entrance porch is crowned with a triangular pediment. In front of the courtyard, there is a double-flight open-air marble staircase leading up to the second-floor living room entrance platform from both sides. The exterior is very dignified and imposing.

　　Over 80 years ago, its owner was the renowned Pan Mingxun, head of the Shanghai Municipal Council and a native of Guangdong. This was also a “stronghold” in China’s bibliophilic world—a mansion known as “Baoli Hall” that housed over 100 ancient Song and Yuan editions.

　　The first owner of Baoli Hall was Pan Zongzhou (1867–1939), courtesy name Mingxun, a native of Nanhai, Guangdong. He came to Shanghai to learn business in 1919, initially working as a salesman in foreign firms. With his sharp wit and capability, as well as proficiency in pidgin English, he soon became a comprador and later served as head of the Shanghai Municipal Council. During his 20 years in Shanghai, he developed a passion for book collecting, especially for ancient Song and Yuan editions, and generally looked down upon Ming and Qing imprints. Whenever he encountered rare editions, he spared no expense. Booksellers on Fuzhou Road, aware of his preferences, often wrapped old books and visited him for sales. Backed by wealth and foreign support, he was not afraid of being deceived by booksellers. Within a few years, he became one of the foremost collectors of Song editions in China.

　　His collection was authenticated by China’s top bibliographers Xu Senyu and Zhang Yuanji. His most treasured piece was the Song edition of the “Rites of Zhou Commentary,” acquired from Yuan Keding’s second son, Yuan Kewen (Han Yun). This book was printed by Huang Tang of San Shan after the Southern Song court’s relocation to the south. Originally kept in the secret chambers of the Confucius Mansion in Qufu, Shandong, it was a unique volume and a treasured heirloom of the mansion. Somehow, it ended up in Yuan Kewen’s hands. Yuan Han Yun, who considered himself among the “second-tier elites,” also enjoyed book collecting and calligraphy, and styled himself “Heir to the Hundred Song Libraries.” Whenever he acquired a rare book, he would inscribe poems and annotations, stamping them with his red seal “Heir to the Second Elite” to mark the occasion. The inscription on this “Rites of Zhou Commentary” was written for a girlfriend, expressing genuine emotion and sorrowful beauty—possibly a farewell piece. After Yuan Shikai’s death, the extravagant Yuan Kewen fell into financial hardship and eventually had to sell antiques to make ends meet. One day, he brought the “Rites of Zhou Commentary” to the Pan residence and hinted at selling it. Pan Zongzhou, delighted by the book, purchased it for 100,000 taels of silver. With the new Changle Road home just completed, he named the residence “Baoli Hall,” giving rise to its name. Later, Pan invited the renowned Jiangnan bibliophile Dong Kang (Songfen) to oversee the engraving and printing of 100 copies, transforming one treasure into many and making long-hidden manuscripts accessible to scholars, earning widespread acclaim. From then on, six or seven out of ten Song, Yuan, rare, or unique editions in Yuan Han Yun’s possession continuously “flowed” into Baoli Hall.

　　Before the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941, Shanghai’s concessions became an isolated enclave. By then, Pan Zongzhou had passed away, and his son, Pan Shizi, inherited the 111 Song and Yuan ancient editions housed in Baoli Hall. Pan had studied in the United States and returned to teach at St. John’s University. Fearing the national treasures would fall into Japanese hands, he contacted the Royal Asiatic Society in Shanghai, asking them to help transfer the books to a safe location. Some British personnel were indeed “China hands” who understood the historical and cultural value of the collection. They even dispatched a British warship to carry the treasures to Hong Kong, where they were transported by special vehicle directly to the vault of HSBC. The entire process was handled with extreme caution and secrecy. Unexpectedly, the books remained there for ten years. During this time, Americans and Japanese repeatedly attempted to purchase the collection at high prices. American collector Hou Shitai was particularly active, carrying large amounts of U.S. dollars between Hong Kong and the U.S., seeking out collections from mainland families who had fled to Hong Kong. However, Pan Shizi remained unmoved, preferring to pay HSBC’s high storage fees until the founding of the People’s Republic.

　　Pan Mingxun’s good friend Chen Qinghua (1894–1978) was another prominent book collector in Shanghai. A native of Hunan, courtesy name Chengzhong, he once served as the chief auditor of the Bank of China and shared a passion for collecting Song and Yuan editions. Having acquired a Song edition of the “Xunzi,” he named his residence “Xunzhai.” One day, Chen visited Baoli Hall and, without much preamble, asked Pan what new books he had acquired. Pan then took out a newly obtained copy of the “Collected Works of Master Changli” (commonly known as the Han Wen) from a box to show him. Chen was deeply moved, as he owned a Song edition of the “Collected Works of Liu Zongyuan” (commonly known as the Liu Wen), also printed by Huang Tang of San Shan in the Southern Song Dynasty, and equally a unique surviving volume. Chen remarked, “People often speak of Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan in the same breath, so their collected works should naturally be kept together. If separated, wouldn’t it be a pity? I propose we exchange them—either your Han Wen for my Liu Wen, each valued at twenty thousand silver dollars. What do you think?” Pan Zongzhou pondered for a long time, recognizing the logic in Chen’s words. Though he desired the Liu Wen, the cost of constructing his new home had drained his resources. He sighed and said, “I’m currently strapped for cash and truly cannot afford the Liu Wen. Since you’ve made the offer and we’re friends, please take the Han Wen.” Thus, the unique Song edition of the “Collected Works of Master Changli” left Baoli Hall and entered “Xunzhai.”

　　On the eve of liberation, Chen Qinghua’s family made their way to Hong Kong, taking dozens of precious volumes with them, including the Liu Wen. It wasn’t until 1965 that Chen decided to sell his collection, which included dozens of extremely valuable Song rubbings. Through the efforts of Xu Senyu’s son, Xu Bojiao, who acted on behalf of the state, this significant collection of national treasures was repatriated and housed in the National Library of China. Premier Zhou Enlai personally took an interest in the matter, highlighting its importance. After Chen left Shanghai, his remaining collection in Shanghai, also containing Song and Yuan editions, was preserved by his daughter Chen Guoying and son-in-law Liu Ji’ao (a professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics). It was confiscated during the Cultural Revolution but returned in 1980, when Chen’s descendants donated it to the state. It is now housed in the Shanghai Library.

　　In 1951, Pan Shizi wrote to Zheng Zhenduo, director of the National Cultural Relics Bureau, offering to donate the entire Baoli Hall collection to the newly established People’s Republic of China. He mentioned that there was no one at the time well-versed in handling such donations. Zheng, an avid collector himself, was thrilled upon receiving the letter. At the time, the state had already taken note of the large number of cultural relics stranded in Hong Kong, at risk of being lost overseas, and had decided to allocate funds to acquire them. Premier Zhou specifically instructed: “Only historically valuable cultural relics may be purchased, not antiques.” Coincidentally, Xu Bojiao had come from Hong Kong to Beijing. Working at a bank in Hong Kong, Xu was also a renowned collector and connoisseur of cultural relics, well-connected with many collectors. The State Council therefore entrusted him to contact Pan Shizi in Hong Kong and handle the donation of the Baoli Hall collection. Through Xu’s efforts, this precious collection safely arrived in Shanghai, including 104 Song editions and 7 Yuan editions. The State Council also approved a special train to transport them directly to Beijing, where they were housed in the Rare Books Room of the National Library of China, greatly enriching its collection. In 1958, when the National Library published its rare book catalog, entries for the Baoli Hall donation were marked with “Donated by Pan” to honor his contribution.

　　In the early years after liberation, Pan Shizi returned to Shanghai. After donating the books, he also gave the Baoli Hall residence to the state, which was repurposed as a post and telecommunications hospital. He himself lived on the ground floor of a garden villa on Hunan Road. In his later years, Pan lived in great solitude, with his wife and son having gone abroad. After suffering a stroke, he relied entirely on a nanny for daily care. Despite this, he completed the English translation of the “Three Character Classic” with strong perseverance, introducing China’s profound culture to the world. Published in Singapore, the book was designated by Lee Kuan Yew as required reading for Singaporean children and later recognized by UNESCO as essential reading for children’s moral development worldwide. In 1988, his name was included in the American edition of the “Who’s Who in the World.”

　　

　　Pan Zongzhou (1867~1939)　　Pan Zongzhou (1867–1939), a renowned modern book collector. Courtesy name Mingxun. Native of Sha Ying, Nanhai, Guangdong. In his youth, he worked at a foreign firm in Shanghai, became wealthy through business, and served as head of the Shanghai Municipal Council during the Republican era. He specialized in collecting Song editions. With substantial wealth, he amassed over 100 Song and Yuan ancient editions, all of high quality. He initially acquired two rare Song editions from the Republican-era collector Yuan Kewen: the “Rites of Zhou Commentary” and the “Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals.” The 70-volume, 40-fascicle Song edition of the “Rites of Zhou Commentary,” hailed as “the finest unique volume in China,” is a masterpiece among Song editions. Printed by Huang Tang of San Shan, it was originally housed in the Confucius Mansion in Qufu... Details+

　　Pan Shizi 　　Pan Shizi, a modern book collector and scholar. Son of the renowned book collector Pan Zongzhou, native of Nanhai, Guangdong. Joined the China Democratic League in 1950. Earned a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge in 1939. Served as head of the Department of History and Politics, academic dean, and acting president at St. John’s University. After 1949, he was a professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature and librarian at Fudan University. In 1957, he was wrongly labeled a rightist and imprisoned for seven years during the Cultural Revolution. After his father’s death in 1939, he inherited the entire collection, which included over 110 Song and Yuan editions, totaling 1,088 volumes. Authenticated by bibliographers such as Zhang Yuanji and Xu Senyu, all... Details+